Fall Crafts for Children: 4 Fun, Easy, and Creative Projects

Crafting with children in the fall is cozy and full of charm. Autumn is the perfect season to stay indoors with a warm drink and a craft project—and the rich seasonal colours make for beautiful results. In this article, you’ll find four craft ideas using materials you often already have on hand, like wine corks, mason jars, paper, and parchment paper. And of course, some of the prettiest fall leaves you can collect!

And what could be better than enjoying seasonal activities with children during autumn? For some of these crafts, you’ll even need to head outdoors—so you get fresh air and creative fun in one go. 

If you’re a babysitter, fall crafts are a fantastic way to keep children entertained while encouraging their creativity and fine motor skills. Simple, seasonal activities can turn an ordinary afternoon into a fun learning experience. If you’re a parent, consider inviting your babysitter to join in these craft projects. 

1. Stamped Autumn Tree

This fall tree is an easy craft to make with children.

What you’ll need:

• A sheet of white paper
  
• A piece of brown-coloured paper (or even newspaper for a fun texture)
  
• Paint in yellow, orange, red, and brown
  
• Wine corks
  

How to make it:
Cut a tree trunk with branches from the brown paper and glue it onto the white sheet. Put small amounts of different paint colours on a plate and dip the corks into the paint. Let your child stamp “leaves” all over the tree. This is a great activity even for very young children—just be sure to use non-toxic, child-safe paint.

2. Leaf Tea Light Holder

We found this adorable fall leaf tea light project from Leuk voor kids. Leaf crafts don’t require special supplies—you can make them with things you likely already have: an empty mason jar (or baby food jar), parchment paper, and glue.

What you’ll need:

• Dried fall leaves
  
• White parchment paper
  
• Iron and tea towel
  
• Glue
  
• Glass jars
  
• Tea lights
  

How to make it:
If your leaves aren’t flat, place them on a tea towel and gently iron them until smooth. Glue the smooth side of the leaves onto the parchment paper (this will be the outside of your holder). Let the paper and leaves dry completely. If the paper or leaves curl a bit, you can gently iron them again.

Wrap a strip of parchment paper with the glued leaves around your jar—measure it by rolling the jar over the paper so it fits. The strip should not be taller than the jar. Apply glue to the leaf side and stick the strip onto the jar. Let the glue dry completely, then add a tea light for a warm autumn glow. You can also play with smaller strips so the jar has multiple leaf sections for a different look.

3. Autumn Leaf Rubbings

With large autumn leaves, you can create all kinds of beautiful projects—like colourful crayon rubbings.

What you’ll need:

• Wax crayons in various colours
  
• White paper
  
• Optional: a tissue and a small amount of odourless mineral spirits (for blending)
  

How to make it:
Place a fall leaf underneath a sheet of white paper. Take a crayon and rub it over the paper so the shape and details of the leaf appear. You can use different colours on each leaf for a more vibrant effect. For an even softer, blended look, gently rub over the crayon with a tissue lightly dampened with odourless mineral spirits—this helps the colours merge beautifully.

Once you’re done colouring, cut or tear out the leaves. You’ll have a set of stunning paper autumn leaves to display or use in other crafts!

4. Autumn Leaf Mobile

You can make this mobile with paper leaves you print and colour yourself, or with real fall leaves collected outdoors with your toddler or the child you babysit.

What you’ll need:

• Straight twigs
  
• Autumn leaves (or paper leaves that you colour and cut out)
  
• Hole punch or scissors
  
• String or nylon thread
  

How to make it:
Head outside with your little one to find colourful fall leaves and straight twigs. If you can’t find nice leaves, draw your own, colour them, and cut them out. Carefully make a small hole in each leaf with a hole punch or scissors. Thread a piece of string or nylon through each hole and attach it to the twig. If you’re worried the leaves might tear, you can glue the string directly to them.

For a layered look, string several leaves on the same thread—just make two holes in each leaf so they hang flat. Once all your leaves are attached, tie a piece of string to both ends of the twig and hang the mobile from the ceiling. Your fall leaf mobile is ready!

Still in the mood for crafting? On our blog you can find more craft ideas to enjoy with kids.